The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1887-02-19

Meeting of Citizens-The Water Cues
ton Discussed and Steps Taken to Secure
Pure Supply for Towsontown-Easton
water Supply, S5c.-A meeting of a number
of the citizens of Towsontown was held on Friday
night of last week, at the Smedley House, to take
into consideration the proposition for sinking an
artesian well, capable of supplying the town with
an abundance of pure water. Among those pres
ant were Judge David Fowler and his guest,
Judge James d. Waters, Col. d. G. Mcintosh,
VIM. S. Keech, w M. Isaac, Thos. J. Hunter D.
Preston Parr, John 7. Ensor, DR.. G. M. Bosley,
DIR. Jackson Piper, Chas. E. Fendal, DIR. Richard
Willis and DIR. r. G. Massenburg. Mr.. D. Pres
ton Parr was called to the chair, and Mr.. S. C.
TOmey acted as secretary.
DR.. Piper made an opening statement in which
he said that the meeting was proposed by several
property holders of the town who had invited
citizens for and against the proposition of sinking
an artesan well, so that the subject might be dis
cussed in all its bearings and the sense of the
meeting be obtained as guide for future action.
That this subject of introducing an abundance of
water into the town was one of great importance,
not only as protection to health, but as means
of safety in of fires, was generally admitted,
and as an opening wedge for further improvements
which would necessarily follow such as the paving
and curbing of our side walks, lighting the town
with gas, a thorough system of police protection
and a uniform plan for drainage and sewerage.
As we are now situated spark of fire might kim
die conaagration that would destroy the whole
town; that an artesian we'll with sufficient eleva-
ton and with fire plugs and hose would do away
with the necessity for engines and render our
property secure that when once the spirit of i'm
provement started it would rapidly spread
and the whole community would feel glowing
pride in seeing our town emerge from its present
of nd fhoto in tha uolu Of
erty and in population would follow and amply
repay US for any outlay we might make.
In order to open up the subject for discussion
DR.. Piper read the following letter from j. M.
Bateman, NJ D., prominent physician of Easton,
Nd, addressed to him:
"0ur town has about four thousand inhabitants,
is incorporated and its sanitary condition is now
excellent. strict corportion was formed, under
the general incorporation act of 1865 Tor the pur-
pose os sinking wells and supplying Easton with
pure water. These wells (six in number) connec-
ted, of cast iron, four inches in diameter, sit
uated in the northern part of the town, in q
meadow at the head of the Tired Avon river
They are over one hundred feet in the ground
At the depth of hundred feet rock was encoun-
tered twelve inches thick and when this was bored
through water pure and sparkling gushed up and
has been flowing ever since, at the rate of 800
gallons per hour; can pump 10000 to $4,000 gal
Ions from all in an hour. 1t is optional with our
into their houses unless they pay the water is shut
off, The stock has not been sold but several offers
have been made to take it at par, and refused 1t
will pay handsomely and cannot be bought be-
cause it is considered frst-class investment
The cost of everything connected with the water
works was $4,000, which was considered big
outlay, but everything was done in a workman
like manner, as much for the future as the pres
emit The capacity of the standpipe is 81, 900 gal
Ions and the pressure 60 pounds to the square
inch and sufficient to force the water the tops
of houses from the fire plugs, forty in number, for
which the town pays $25 each, and levies a tax Of
cts in the 800 for that purpose. A house is
furnished the engineer, whose salary is about $3.50
year. exclusive of the house, water, &c. The
wells formerly used are not closed their owners,
however, pay water rates. have pump in my
yard which has not been used since last October
when the water from the artesian wells was turned
on to supply the town. There is large hydrant
in front of the court house and several smaller
oneSi In different parts of the town for public use
so that no one can have an excuse for drinking
bad water. The wells cost about 5000 each.
may say here that the movement to obtain good
water for the town was exceedingly popular and
nearly all of our citizens have availed themselves
of the opportunity to introduce it into theil
houses. Easton has been exceptionally healthy
in every respect for several years past, ever since
we abolished pig-pens / have not heard of q
case of typhoid fever within the town limits for
long time, thanks for its good sanitary condition
The best course for you to pursue is to come over
| and see me and will be glad to show you every
thing of interest in connection with our water
supply"
A full and interesting discussion followed the
reading of this letter, which was participated in
| by Messrs. Mcintosh, Parr, Isaac, Judges Fowler
| and Waters and DIR. Bosley and others. Mr.. Parl
| gave the probable geology of the town and its
surface and deep water surroundings and under
| ground currents.
Judge Waters said that whilst not Towson-
tonian he took deep interest in the matter under
consideration and was present here by the soci
tation of Judge Fowler. He thought the plan
| would be to raise stock company at a certain
capital and to call in as much of the stock, say
$500, and be willing to sink that much in the i'm
| provement. If water found, the company
could then 60 on to success.
TE5. ;npowder temporary water supply and 9
stu y4saEa ~ Tovsont1wn, and the springs ano
streahs adjacent to the town were considered, bu
the sentiment of the meeting seemed to favor ar
artesian well.
| On motion of Mr.. Ensor committee of five, tc
| be named by the chairman, was appointed to draw
| up articles of incorporation for artesian wei
company, to report at meeting to be held Friday
| Feb. 18th at the SmedIey House. The chair ap
pointed Messrs. Mcintosh, Isaac, Bosley, Pipe
and Ensor, after which the meeting adjourned.
The following letter is to the point:
| GERMANTOWN, Pa, Feb. 10th, 1887.
| DIR. JACKSON PIPER-Dear Sir Shall send
you down the agent of the American Tube OF
Driven-Wel Company? He is considered here {
good expert and is doing large business in Phil
adelpha. He will come down at his own expense
and consult with you. You will have to push thi
water question as well as sewerage, or Towson
town will gro,c less. You will stand in need of al
the information you can get. Ihave gone through
all this business and know its Importance.
Yours truly, ENos SMEDLEY.